This year my wife participated in the Hy-Vee triathlon. Christine's relay team trained hard, and was well prepared. As a result they had a great time.
Since this website is emergency services focused I thought I would share some pictures of the event.
Today was the DMRAA'S Ham fest. Lots of fun had by all.
With April in front of us, and the last glimpses of winter slowly fading away I’m sure that none of you are considering your new year’s resolutions. Well I sure am. Since I publically declared my “goals” for 2009 I figured that I should post an update to let you know what I have accomplished so far, and what challenges are ahead for the spring and summer of 2009.
So far I have completed 3 of my goals.
1. Goal number 6 was to complete the requirements to become an engineer for the JFD. Just last week I completed the written exam, and I am a provisional driver for engine 3930.
2. Goal number 13 was to complete one new SAR certification. As you know from reading this blog I attended and completed NASAR’s MLPI course.
3. Goal number three was to install radios in my “new” tahoe. Thanks to the help of Kelly Milligan that has been completed, and “Whacker 1” is working.
With those goals finished I am 23% of the way through the list. All in all that’s not a bad position to be in considering were almost 23% of the way through the year.
Several of my goals are ongoing
Flying.
I established a few aviation related goals for the year. Since 1 January I have joined a flying club, found an instructor to work with me, and got started on my recurrent training. I have flown 10 hours so far this year. I have not yet started on my High performance/complex rating, but with Iowa’s flying season just getting under way I think that I am in a good position for the year.
The boat and the Coast Guard Aux
Since the season is just getting started I have not had a chance to put the boat in the water. I do hope to get some work done on it in the next few weeks, so I’m sure you will see more updates in the future.
I hope your goals, and resolutions for 2009 are progressing as well as mine.
1. Specific – Objectives should specify what they want to achieve.
2. Measurable – You should be able to measure whether you are meeting the objectives or not.
3. Achievable - Are the objectives you set, achievable and attainable?
4. Realistic – Can you realistically achieve the objectives with the resources you have?
5. Time – When do you want to achieve the set objectives?
1. Obtain High Performance and complex endorsements to my pilots license
2. Fly XX hours this year
3. Fly Christine to a destination
4. Attend church XX number of time
5. Tithe to my church
6. Complete the requirements to become an engineer for my fire department
7. Be XXX Lbs during this year
8. Apply for a masters degree program
9. Become boat crew qualified for the coast guard auxiliary
10. Fix up the boat
11. Put the boat in the water 5 times this season
12. Install radios in the Tahoe
13. Complete one new SAR certification, or training program (SAR tech 1, MLPI, K-9, etc)
We have been a little slow on posting this, but on the 21st a press release came across my desk. This press release announced the appointment of Iowa's next Adjutant General.
"Governor Chet Culver today announced the selection of Colonel Timothy E. Orr as the next Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard. Orr will become the 28th leader of the Iowa National Guard since the first Adjutant General was appointed in 1839.
Orr, 47, currently serves as the Chief of Staff of the Iowa Army National Guard and will begin the transition to Adjutant General in January 2009. During the transition to Adjutant General, Orr will be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General."
Having worked with Col. Orr I couldn't be happier. We look forward to the great things that General Orr will be able to accomplish as the commander of the Iowa National Guard
Today the Iowa EMS Association (IEMSA) hosted its anual EMS lobying movement. Thanks to this movement several dozen EMS providers made their way to the capital building. With coffee and danish in hand these providers saught out and spoke with their appropriate legislatures. This year IEMSA has a few key pieces of legislature to support. The first on the list is the inclusion of EMS providers as a protected class under IPERS which is the states managed retirement plan. This would place EMS providers in the same category as police officers and fire fighters. The second major iniative involves volunteer incentive programs. Under this program EMS providers who volunteer to serve their community would receive a tax credit, or other form of incentive. Following the legislative day IEMSA hosted a leadership conference. This year the leadership conference was proud to host two unique speakers. The first was Jerry Overton who is the director of Richmond Virginia's ambulance service. Jerry spoke on EMS system development, and the importance of scientific peer based research. The second speaker was Jerry Overton who spoke on the role of federal initiatives within EMS development.
Overall the day was busy and informative.
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When a member of a volunteer orgonisation decides to part ways with that orgonisation there are many ways to go about it. Fortunaitly for the civil air patrol there is a set of guidelines to get this accomplished. The procedure is as follows
1. Download the CAP form 2B.
2. Print and fill out the form 2B. For a resignation make sure to select the "voluntary resignation" box.
3. Attach supporting documentation
4. Forward the packet to the command level that oversees you. In my case the packet goes to the Iowa wing head quarters. The office fax number is (515) 252-4168
5. Amanda the delightful office manager will ensure that the packet is properly signed by the commander and forwarded to the national head quarters.
There its that simple. If you don't get to wordy with it you can complete the entire process in under 10 minutes.
This has certainly never been a political blog, and I defiantly do not want to pass judgement on any political candidate, but I recently had a unique experience whch I thought I would share
Having lived in Iowa for nearly 10 years I have found myself engrossed in this years political process. For the first time in this state I participated in the primary process. Iowa is controversial in that the small states set the pace for our country’s selection of America’s next president. This year I decided to Caucus in Iowa. Having come home from work my wife and I headed off to our different polling locations. The weather is cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing. In spite of this bitter temperature record turn out occurred. I was to report to the local high school to do my duty. I drove into the parking lot and found nothing. I turned down street after street looking for a place to park. I approached the school, which was nearly a carnival atmosphere. Representatives from all political camps stood outside and stumped for their favorite. When I arrived I located my district which was to meet in the library. People of all ages, backgrounds, colors and creeds crammed together to support their candidate. We all signed our names on the registry, and found a place to wait. As the room filled space became tight, and strangers became friendlier. Just as most crowds would normally turn surely this crowd became friendly. Conversations perked up, and chairs were shared with those who needed them.
As the crowd milled the last of the caucus goers were admitted to the building. At 7:00pm on the nose the doors were closed. The process began when a non descript man in his 60’s stood up on a chair and asked for everyone’s attention. This man asked for all of the candidate leaders to come forward. The pre identified leaders stepped forward and drew straws to determine where each group would set up camp. In this location Obama, and Clinton would be out in the hallway while the other remaining candidates would take up positions in the corner of the room. Before the voting could begin a shout came up asking how the elderly and indigent would be able to sit during the process. The leaders of the group committed to provide chairs wherever needed. With that the fun began and a whoop of excitement arose from the group. Signs were raised and supporters rallied around their candidates. Spokesmen from each affiliate courted those undecided voters. Once all 149 voters in this location found a candidate to support heads were counted. In order to be a viable candidate you must receive 15% of your precincts vote. In this case 22 votes were needed. After the first round of voting ended up as follows. Obama took 62 votes, Edwards had 40, and Clinton had 30. The rest of the candidates were deemed to be unviable. In a normal election process the voting would be over, but in Iowa those lost voters are allowed to revote for a viable candidate. This revote continues until the precincts convention votes are used up. In our second round Obama capitalized. With 72 votes he dominated Edwards and Clinton who each picked up two votes. With the pool limited to three candidates the bulk of the evenings work was accomplished. Before I could get sucked into the vote for party representation I slipped into the cold night to join my wife for a nice late dinner.
Even though the caucus process is a little long, and unique I truly enjoyed being a part of the process.
With the holidays rapidly approaching we take a moment to reflect upon the joys of our lives. Those who serve their fellow man are truly blessed. Enjoy your families, and remember to turn your pager down at the dinner family dinner.
